Consider yourself a foodie? Then confiture de groseilles is something you should know about. This fine French delicacy hails from the villiage of Bar-le-duc where time seems to be of of no consequence. Configure de groseilles, or current preserves, is produced by a group of women dedicated to removing each and every seed, there are about eight per current, from each pea-sized currant with a goose quill and making jam from the intact, seeded fruit. Intrigued? Sometimes referred to as “French caviar” (the fruit looks very similar to salmon fish eggs), this fine delicacy comes at a price.
Besides enjoying confiture de groseilles on French bread with sweet cream butter you can also create a tantilizing dessert called Duchesse-le-Duc. Place a mound of vanilla ice cream in the center of a bowl and ladle the red preserves over the ice cream, serve with creme Chantilly and sugar violets.
You can find Bar-le-Duc currant preserves at gourmet food shops such as Dean & Deluca, Fraser Morris, and Maison Glass. A three-ounce jar costs $8.70 at Dean & Deluca.
